Is Wood Flooring Right for You?
While the beauty and richness of hardwood flooring is unmatched by other flooring alternatives, the key to satisfaction with your floors is to be knowledgeable about them, and have reasonable expectations as to their performance. The following is a thumbnail sketch of what you should expect.

SELECT THE PROPER MATERIAL FOR YOUR PARTICULAR APPLICATION
There are several species and grades of wood flooring to choose from, besides different millings, prefinished vs. site-finished, laminated vs. solid wood, etc. To make sure that you get the appearance you want and the correct flooring for your application, stop by our office to look at samples, or talk to our staff if you have questions.

WHILE SOLID WOOD FLOORS CAN LAST A LIFETIME, THEY DO REQUIRE CARE
Proper cleaning and regular maintenance coats of finish are critical. We will provide you with information as to the recommended care procedures for your particular floor. In a nutshell, do not use any products containing wax, oil, or acrylic on a polyurethane-finished floor, since they can leave a damaging buildup on your floors.

HARDWOOD FLOORS ARE DURABLE, BUT NOT INDESTRUCTIBLE
Take reasonable care to keep dirt, grit, or other abrasives off of your floors to prolong the life of the finish. Rolling or sliding heavy objects such as refrigerators or pianos across unprotected floors can gouge, dent, or depress the wood grain; women’s high heels which are in disrepair can do the same. Dog’s claws can cause anything from insignificant surface scratches to deep wear in the open grain of the wood. Furniture legs (especially chairs) should be fitted with felt glides to minimize scuffing or scratching of the finish. Keep in mind that no matter how well floors are finished and maintained, some abrasion will be evident from normal foot traffic and wear and tear.

PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND PROPERLY INSTALLED WOOD FLOORS WILL EXHIBIT SOME SHRINKAGE CRACKS DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS.
Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means that it reacts to changes in the atmospheric humidity by shrinking during dry periods, then swelling as the humidity increases. Our dry climate makes the shrinkage crack problem more pronounced, especially during the winter when the home heating system dries the air even further. The cracking is often accompanies by slight variations in the height between adjoining boards. These shrinkage cracks are cosmetic only, and normally close up during the following summer. Oak floors that have been in service for one full climatic cycle (one year) will reach an equilibrium with the average humidity level, and any subsequent shrinkage should be minor, while some species (such as maple) will continue to shrink and swell with every change of seasons. If more information is desired, we have several articles from the National Wood Flooring Association, National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association, and our suppliers concerning this phenomenon.

IF EXCESSIVE MOISTURE COMES IN CONTACT WITH YOUR WOOD FLOORING, IT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE
No amount of finish can completely protect your floors from water damage, especially if the water enters from underneath. Telltale signs of water damage are cupping or lifting of the outside edges of the boards. The amount of moisture content and the duration of exposure determines the extent of repairs required. Take precautions to prevent leaks from exterior sources or from plumbing connections or overflows at toilets, dishwashers, refrigerator icemakers, etc.; if leakage is detected, locate and correct the problem immediately to minimize damage. Likewise, pet urine can permanently stain and/or warp hardwood flooring with repeated exposure.

A PROPER WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION BEGINS WITH A GOOD SUBFLOOR. Wood flooring will follow any surface irregularities in the subfloor, so humps and dips should be eliminated before installation. In existing homes, the subfloor should be re-nailed or screwed to the joists in any areas which squeak or feel spongy. Virtually all problems with squeaks can be traced to subfloor movement rather than a problem with the hardwood flooring itself. Strip flooring should be laid perpendicular to the joists whenever possible. In choosing a subfloor material, 3/4” plywood or pine boards laid at a 45 degree angle to the joists are preferred; particle board, waferboard, or oriented-strand board subfloors do not provide the same nail-holding power. In new construction, subfloors should be protected from excessive moisture before the house is dried in. If installing wood floors over concrete slab or radiant heat systems, consult us first for specifications.

WOOD FLOORING IS A NATURAL PRODUCT, WITH INHERENT VARIATIONS IN COLOR, GRAIN PATTERN, AND TEXTURE
Your floors are made up of several individual boards which move independently of one another to varying degrees, depending on changes in temperature and humidity and movement of underlying structural components. This movement, along with shrinkage from our dry climate, will sometimes cause the filler to shrink and settle in voids or cracks. Since any wood floor has an infinite variation in coloration, the filler won’t blend perfectly in every situation. The softer and more porous open grain will sand deeper and absorb more stain and finish, which will prevent the floor from appearing perfectly flat and uniform, especially when viewing the floor across a wide open area into the light. And, since it is impossible to control the environment totally during the application of the finish, some impurities may be present in the finish coat, along with minor lap and/or swirl marks (these will disappear with normal abrasion from foot traffic). All stains and finish are photochemically reactive to some degree, which means that they may discolor somewhat over time, especially in areas of direct sunlight. For this reason, it is impossible to guarantee a perfect blend if an area of the floor needs to be spot-sanded and finished, so it is usually preferable to refinish all adjoining wood flooring in such a situation. Remember that nature’s imperfections are what impart the character and beauty to hardwood flooring and make each floor unique.
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